Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have gunned down a notorious armed robbery suspect, Abdulmininu Bello, popularly known as Babanle, during a coordinated operation in Abuja.
The sting operation also led to the arrest of seven other suspects linked to a string of violent crimes including vehicle theft and armed robbery across the FCT and surrounding areas.
According to FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the breakthrough came after weeks of surveillance. Acting on credible intelligence that the gang was plotting another robbery around the Maitama area, officers from the Scorpion Squad moved swiftly and intercepted the suspects on May 15, 2025, four days before the planned attack.
During the attempted arrest, the gang opened fire on the police team, prompting a gun duel. In the exchange, Babanle, identified as the ringleader of the gang, was fatally shot. The rest of the gang members were overpowered and arrested at the scene. SP Adeh confirmed the operation was part of ongoing efforts to rid the FCT of violent criminal elements.
Those arrested include 22-year-old ex-convict Ibrahim Muhammad from Kebbi State; Abubakar Abdullahi and Sarajo Yusuf, both 22 and 20 years old respectively, from Plateau State; ex-convict Isiaka Adamu from Bauchi State; Abdullahi Isah, an 18-year-old escapee also from Bauchi State; Sanusi Ali, 51, from Kano State; and Abubakar Sani from Plateau State.
Items recovered from the suspects include a 2004 Toyota Camry LE, a red Boxer motorcycle, two locally made pistols with ten rounds of live 9mm ammunition, four AK-47 rifles and magazines, eleven 7.62mm live rounds, and one locally made shotgun. Police also revealed that another gang leader, Solomon Bawa a.k.a. Pastor Mogu, escaped with gunshot wounds alongside one unidentified suspect.
The police have urged the public to report anyone with unexplained injuries, as investigations are ongoing. All suspects currently in custody will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The FCT Command reassured residents of its continued commitment to public safety and crime prevention.
